Back UK on holiday. Is it worth claiming pension upgrade?

[rak sa_ngop]

Lots of good UK state pension info here but too much to sift through.

 

I am back in the UK for 3 weeks. Is it possible and easy/simple to get your unfrozen State pension rate paid for these 3 weeks. It wont amount to much but is it worth trying? Is it best to phone them or can it be all done online?

 

Tks

[stupidfarang]

I would think it is a waste of time, Goverment departments are slow at the best of times, am sure there will be lots of questions and all for 3 weeks? It is not worth the stress, relax enjoy your holiday or if you want to experince why you left the UK in the first place then apply LOL

[theoldgit]

When I visit the UK almost the first thing I do is call the International Pension centre (0191 281 7777) to notify them that I'm visiting and would like my pension to be increased for the duration of my stay.

 

I've found the lasses there, they normally are lasses taking calls, to be extremely friendly and efficient, they will ask for your National Insurance Number, a couple of security questions like, how often do we pay your pension and maybe your marital status, they will ask for the postcode of one place you're staying at during your stay and a phone number you can be contacted on, though in the years I've been doing so I've never been contacted.

 

They will ask when you arrived in the UK and your departure date, if your travelling via the EU in ether direction include those dates. 

 

Your pension will then be increased for the duration of your trip, it's certainly not a stressful experience, only takes a few minutes and well worth it.

 

You could make contact online, now or on your return, but in my experience a phone call is easier, enjoy your holiday.

 

 https://www.gov.uk/international-pension-centre

[rak sa_ngop]

Great stuff 'Old Git'. Sounds like it is definitely worth the small effort, especially as UK pensions are now being hiked up a lot.

 

Thanks

[Tony M]

Theoldgit is 100% correct. I have done it several times, and it's just a phone call to the International Pensions number. Very easy, very quick, and why not have the pension that you are entitled to !

[brianburi]

Old Git, is that a typo error?? National Insurance number, surely....  NHS is for hospital treatment.

[theoldgit]

1 hour ago, brianburi said:

Old Git, is that a typo error?? National Insurance number, surely....  NHS is for hospital treatment.

 

Well spotted, thanks very much.

[Robin]

If your pension is increased during your stay, does it fall back to the old sum when you leave?

I have been in UK for the last 6 months and returning to LOS next week.  I never knew I could get any sort of increase unless I was permanently back in UK.  if I had known I would have tried.  Especially now there is high inflation coming to UK an promises of pension increases.

I think it disgraceful that UK does not pay the full pension to us retirees who live overseas.  think how much we are saving NHS by paying for our own treatment.  

[transam]

4 minutes ago, Robin said:

If your pension is increased during your stay, does it fall back to the old sum when you leave?

I have been in UK for the last 6 months and returning to LOS next week.  I never knew I could get any sort of increase unless I was permanently back in UK.  if I had known I would have tried.  Especially now there is high inflation coming to UK an promises of pension increases.

I think it disgraceful that UK does not pay the full pension to us retirees who live overseas.  think how much we are saving NHS by paying for our own treatment.  

It goes back to what it was, but if I were you, I would get onto them and claim what's yours....????

[Mutt Daeng]

17 hours ago, brianburi said:

Old Git, is that a typo error?? National Insurance number, surely....  NHS is for hospital treatment.

 

16 hours ago, theoldgit said:

 

Well spotted, thanks very much.

@theoldgitI think you were right the first time. Whenever I contact the IPC they always ask for my NINO. It's part of the criteria they use to verify your identity.

[brianburi]

On 8/21/2022 at 6:16 AM, Mutt Daeng said:

 

@theoldgitI think you were right the first time. Whenever I contact the IPC they always ask for my NINO. It's part of the criteria they use to verify your identity.

you need to visit spec savers..... read my post again.... slowly    

[brianburi]

On 8/21/2022 at 6:16 AM, Mutt Daeng said:

 

@theoldgitI think you were right the first time. Whenever I contact the IPC they always ask for my NINO. It's part of the criteria they use to verify your identity.

oldgit has edited  his post accordingly. He originally said NHS number and I queried if he meant to write that....... end of.  Ancient history now...

[Mutt Daeng]

1 hour ago, brianburi said:

you need to visit spec savers..... read my post again.... slowly    

Yes. My bad. When I realised that, it was too late to edit my post.

[Mutt Daeng]

1 hour ago, brianburi said:

oldgit has edited  his post accordingly. He originally said NHS number and I queried if he meant to write that....... end of.  Ancient history now...

Yes, I realised that later, but it was too late for me to edit 

[NanLaew]

The accumulated costs of processing all these momentary increases and decreases in pension payments is paid by who?

 

I'm not knocking anyone for claiming their full entitlements especially when the mechanism is in place to do this. However the absurdity of having a room full of helpful and polite ladies answering the phone, asking questions and typing the answers into some humongous government database is quite bizarre.